Friction-gearing.



L. N. LACOMBE. A

FRIGTION GEAR-ING APPLICATION FILED 111.11.27. 1910.

979,31 5, Patented Dee. 20, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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NIMA/EVS nv: Ncmms FErsRs co., wAsHmarN, D, c.

LOUIS N. LACOMBE,

OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FRICTION-GEARING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 20, 1910 Application led January 27, 1910. Serial No.540,399.

To ott whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, Louis N. LAcoMBn, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of the city of Sew York, borough of Brooklyn, in thecounty of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and ImprovedFriction-Gearing, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription.

rlhis invention relates to certain improvements in friction gearing forpositively connecting driving and driven shafts, and more particularlyto that type in which the driven shaft may be rotated in eitherdirection in respect to the direction of rotation of the driving shaft.

In my improved gearing, I employ pinions rotatable about radial axes forrotating the driven shaft in the reverse direction to the driving shaft.

One of the main objects of my invention is to simplify the control ofthese pinions, so that they will be entirely out of operation and mayremain stationary when the shaft sections arc disconnected or when thedirect drive is in use.

@ther important objects of my invention and the important structuralfeatures thereof. will be set forth more in detail hereinafter andparticularlyr pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specilication, in which similar characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the figures, and in which Figure 1 is alongitudinal section through a clutch constructed in accordance with myinvention; Eig. 2 is a side elevation of one end portion thereof; andEig. 3 is a transverse section on the line of Fig. 1.

My improved gearing is adapted for use in connecting any drivingelementto a driven element, and for purposes of illustration I have hereshown the two elements as shafts 10 and 11. Either the shaft 10 or theshaft 11 may constitute the driving shaft and the other constitute thedriven shaft, but for sake of clearness, I will here` inafter refer tothe shaft 10 as the driving shaft and the shaft 11 as the driven shaft.The two shafts 10 and 11 are spaced apart and in alinement with eachother, and between the two ends are two shaft sections 12 and 13,non-circular in cross section. Both of these shaft sections are heldagainst rotation in respect to the shaft 10, and the Y shaft section 13is free to moveV longitudinally toward and from the shaft 11. Forreciprocating this shaft section 13, l provide a collar 14C, which isshrunk or other- Y wise rigidly secured thereto, and this collar issupported within a ring 15. The ring has outwardly-extending trunnions16 mounted in uprights 17 on a main base 18, and these uprights haveslots extending in the same general direction as the shaft, so as topermit the trunnions to slide along the slots. The collar 14 is free torotate within the ring 15, while the trunnions prevent the rotation ofthe latter. The collar, at one end, has an outwardly-extending flange19, and intermediate this flange and the ring is a suitable ball bearing20, so that when the ring is forced axially to move the collar in onedirection, the ball bearing will receive the thrust and reduce friction.At the opposite end of the collar, two nuts 21, 21 are employed forholding the ring adjacent the ball bearing and preventing any axialmovement of the collar in respect to the ring. For moving the ring andcollar axially, two links 22, 22 are mounted upon the outer ends of thetrunnions and extend substantially parallel to the shaft. Each linkterminates at its forward end in an eccentric strap 23 receiving aneccentric 24. Two uprights 25, 25 are carried by the base 18, andthrough these uprights extend pivot bolts 26.

rllhe eccentric 24 is mounted upon a non-circular portion of the pivotbolt 26, so that as thebolts 26 are rotated, the eccentrics will pullthe links 22 lengthwise to reciprocate the shaft section 13. Forrotating the pivot bolts, I provide an upwardly-extending yoke 27,having a handle 2S at its upper end and having the lower end of its armssecured upon non-circular portions of the bolts 26. The bolts preferablyhave their heads 29 upon the inner end, and each extends outwardlythrough the arm of the yoke, through the eccentric, and thence throughthe upright 25. The outer end of the bolt may carry a suitable nut 30.

In addition to the eccentrics 24, l provide eccentrics 31, which, ifdesired, may be cast integral with the eccentrics 2li, but in any eventare caused to move upon the oscillation of the pivot bolts 26. Theeccentrics 24C and 31 have opposite eccentricity, as is illustratedparticularly in Figs. 2 and 3. Each eccentric 31 may be rigidly securedto l its corresponding arm of the yoke 2T, by

a suitable screw, in order hold the parts against relative movement. Itis thus evident that as the handle 28 is moved toward the lett-hand fromthe position indicated in Fig. 2, the eccentrics 24- Will pull the linkslengthwise and reciprocate the ring 15, the collar 14 and the shaft 13,toward the right-hand end of the clutch. Upon swinging the handle Q8toward the right-hand, the shat't section 18 will be reeiprocatedtoivard the lett hand.

For etliecting the clutching` action between the clutch section 13 andthe driven shat't 11, l provide the driven shaft ivith a collar 32,keyed or otherwise rigidly secured thereon and having' in its out-er endand in alinement with the shaft 11, a conical recess 33. The shat'tsection 13 terminates in a conical head 31, Which may tit into thisrecess, so that as the shaft section 13 forced lengthwise toivard theshaft 11, its head tits into the conical rece and the shaft sections 11and 13 are positivelyT locked against relative rotation. For guiding'the end of the shaft section 13. it ma)7 have a terminal spindle bevondthe head 3l. and sliding' Within an axial openingl in the collar SQ.

The mechanism above described serves for the direct transmission otponer from the driving to the driven shaft. lF or rotatine` the drivenshat't in the reverse direction. i provide a reverse gearing whichincludes a pluralityv ol radially-disposed pinions movable into and ontof operative position. The collar 12, above referred to, serves notonlyv for the reception ot the conical `end of the shaft section 13, butit also constitutes a gear member t'or use in the reverse direction.rthe collar has an ontn'ardlv-extending annular tlange 't' having itsouter tace beveled and provided vvith a plin'ali'tv ot concentriccireumterential corrngations 3T. Direetlv opposed to the collar B; andin alinement therewith. is a collar slidablv mounted upon the shaittsection 13. The collar 55S presents an annular tlange 39 similar to theflange SG, and this flange has a beveled tace provided ivith a series ofconcentric corrugations l0. A frame 4-1 is mounted upon the base 1S. andis tree to slide longitudinallv thereof through a limited distance. rThetrame carries a pluralitv of inwardlv-cxtending pivot pins l2, which areconnected together at their inner ends b v an annular collar il,concentric with the shaft section 1?), and constituting a portion ot theframe 451. Rotatabl'v mounted upon 'the pivot pins 1Q, are a pluralityot cones 13, each presenting a pluralitv ot' annular corrugations or[langes The taper of each cone such that its corrugatious 4st may enterthe grooves in both ot the bevel gear members il@ and 21), so that allthree gear members, that is, the parts 3G, 39 and 4,3, will be caused torotate simultaneously. In order to additionallyv to prevent binding' ofthe corrngations otl the pinions with the corrngations o'l. the bevelfriction n'ieinbers, the outer side o t each corrugation is curved,While the inner side is substantially7 straight.

lllith the collar 3S in the position -indicated in Fig. 1, it is outo'lb engagement with the pinions 453, and. theretore does not transmitmotion to the latter. Likewise, the pinions are out ot' engagement withthe gear member 8G. For moving the pinions to this position, l providethe .traine t1 with ontwardly-extending lugs l5 upon opposite sidesthereof, and suitable tie-rods l-t extend through these lugs. rthe rodsare not rigid lv connected to thc lugs but extend freely therethrough,and upon each rod are two springs e7 and 41S, each pressing against thelug t5 and against an outer nut on thel rod. The springs are both undertension and the rods are held against longitudinal m vement in l anvsuitable manner, as, tor instance, bv being' rigidlv secured to theuprights The sinkings thus tend to move the trame `-l-l to suoli aposition that the two springs -l-T and 11S will both be under the sametension, but thev permit the l'ranie to be moved longitudinally ineither direction. so as to coml press one spring and release the other.The position which the traine normally tends to take, is one in vvhiehthe pinions Will be out of engagement with the gear member 3G.

For moving the collar B8 into or ont ot operative position, l providemechanism verv similar to that employeil :tor reciprocating l the shat'tsection lil, and 1 also so mount l this operating meenanism lthat thecollar 3S and the shat't section 13 vvill bc simultaneouslvvreciprocated lin opposite directions. As shown, the collar 3S extendsthrough a ring' 419, and the ring is held against a ball bearing 50 bvtv'o lock nuts 51. r1"he ring l has outn'ai'dlv-exteiidino' trunnions52, which are slidabl'v mounted Within uprights 53, and secured to eachtrunnion a linlt 5-t terminating in an eccentric strap 55. rtheeccentric straps 55 encircle the ecc-entries 31 above referred to. andthese eccentrics are rotated by the oscillation ot the handle 2S. Bvswinging' the handle in one direction, the eccentries torce the linls 5llengthwise and the ring moves the colla r Slt tovvard the right hand ofthe device trom the position indicated in Fig. 1. The gear member tirstcomes into engagement with the pinions 43 l and further axial movementot the gear member moves the pinions and the trame -l-l l against thetension ot the springs 1S, until the pinions come into engagement Withthe gear member 3G. The motion Will non' be transmitted from the shaft13 to the gear member 39, thence to the pinions 43 and to the gearmember which 'will be caused to rotate in the reverse direction to thegear l member 89. It Will be noted that the movepinion carried by saidframe and dispi'iscd betiveen said gear members, rods secured to saidbase, springs encircling said rods and having engagement ivith saidframe.v for nient of the gear member St) into operative i positionsimiiltaneously, moves the shaft secl tion i?) in the reverse direction,so that the driven shaft cannot possibly be connected for rotating inone direction while it is still connormally tending to move the frame inone 7o nected for rotation in the reveise direction. direction, to bringthe pinion out of engagel" ith the handle Q8 extending vertically, mentwith one of said gear members, and both the cone clutch 3e and the gearmemmeans for moving the other gear member ber 39, ivill be out ofposition, so that the toward said pinions. driven shaft 11 ivill remainstationary. G. in combination a driving shaft section 75 Various changesmay be made in the conmovable axially, a clutch member mounted structionof my improved clutch, ivithout dethereon and movable axially, and means'for parting from the spirit of my invention. simultaneously moving saidshaft section Having thus described my invention, i and said clutchmember in reverse direcclaim as neiv and desire to secure bv liettions.80 ters Patent: u T. ln combination a driving shaft section l. Incombination tivo opposed gear memmovable axially, a clutch membermounted bers in axial alinement, a. pinion intermelthereon and movableaxially, and means for diate said gear members, a frame supportingsimultaneously moving said shaft section D said pinion and normallytending to move and said clutch member in reverse direc- 85 said pinionont of engagement With one of t'lOHS, Seid Shaft SeCtOll S 1`V1 11 g JOlClllvGCt said gear members, and means for moving ransmission ivhen inone limiting` position, the other gear member into engagement vvith andsaid clutch member serving for reverse the pinion. drive when said shaftsection is in its oppo- 5 2. .ln combination tivo opposed gear memsitelimiting position. 90 bers, a pinion intermediate said gear mem- 8. lncombination a reciprocating shaft bers, a sliding frame carrying saidpinion, section, a gear member mounted thereon, a a spring normallytending to move said Collar secured to said shaft section, a collarframe to bring the pinion out of engagesecured to said gear member, andmeans in ment ivith one of said gear members, and engagement With SeidCOURTS 'Ol DlOVlDg' 95 means for moving the other gear member themsimultaneously tovvard or avvay from into engagement ivith the pinion tobring each other. n

l the pinion into engagement With the irst- 9. ln combination areciprocating shaft l mentioned gear member. section, a gear membermounted thereon, a

b 1%. in combination tivo opposed gear memcollar secured to said shaftsection, a collar 100 bers in axial alineinent and each presentingsecured to said gear member, non-rotatable a beveled face ivithconcentric corrugations, rings encircling said collars, links connectapinion intermediate said gear members ed to said rings, and means forsimultane and having a. series of concentric corrugaously moving saidlinks in opposite direc- 40 tions adapted to intermcsh ivith theeorrutions. 105 gations of the gear members, a sliding frame 10. lncombination a drive shaft section carrying said pinion, and yieldingmeans movable longitudinally for direct driving normally tending to movesaid frame in one action, a clutch member mounted thereon direction tobring the pinion out of engageand adapted for reverse drive connection,a

ment ivith one of said gear members. collar secured to said shaftsection, a collar 110 et. in combination a base, a driving shaft securedto said gear member, uprights inmounted thereon, a driven shaft mountedtermediate said collars, pivot bolts mounted upon said base and in axialalinemeiit with to rotate ivithin said uprights, eccentrics said drivingshaft, gear members carried by carried by said bolts, and means forconsaid shafts, a frame intermediate said gear necting said eccentricsand said collars, 115 members and slidably mounted upon said ivherebythe oscillation of said pivot bolts base, a pinion carried by said frameand tends to inove said collars simultaneously disposed betiveen saidgear members, rods in opposite directions. secured to said base, andsprings encircling ll. in combination, tivo opposed gear said rods andhaving engagement ivith said members movable relatively toivard and 120frame, for normally tending to move the from each other, a pinionintermediate said frame in one direction, to bring the pinion gearmembers and rotatable about an axis out of engage-ment With one of saidgear at right angles to the axes of said gear memmembers. bers andserving to transmit motion from 5. in combination a base, a drivingshaft one gear member to the other When the lat- 125 mounted thereon, adriven shaft mounted on ter are in predetermined relative positions`said base and in axial alineinent with said a shaft non-rotatable inrespectto one of driving shaft, gear members carried by said said gearmembers but movable axially relashafts, frame intermediate said gearmemtively thereto. and means for directly conbers and slidably mountedupon said base, a nec-ting said shaft and the other gear mem- 130 berwhen said rfear members are siaced to prevent the transmission ot powerthrough said pinion.

12.111 combination, two opposed gear members movable relatirel;7 towardand from eaeli other, a pinion intermediate said gear members androtatable about an axis at right angles to the axes of said gear membersand serving to transmit motion from one gear member to the other whenthe latter are in predetermined relative position. a shaft non-rotatablein respect to one of said year members but movable axially relatirelx/Tthereto, means for directly I connecting said slmflt and the other gearmember, and means for reciprocating said shaft and its gear membersimultaneously in opposite directions, to control tbe relative directionof rotation in respect to the other gear member.

In testimony whereof have signed my name to this speeiioation in thepresence of two subscribingl Witnesses.

LOUIS N. LCOMBE.

Writnesses y CLAIR 7. FAHmANK,

I PHILIP D. RoLLnAUs.

